ECB contacts NFL owners over Hundred team sales

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has contacted owners of teams in the NFL about potential investment in The Hundred.

Stakes in the eight Hundred teams will be sold later this year and investors will be in place for the 2025 season. The ECB has spoken to every team owner in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and Women’s Premier League and will host some interested parties, including those from the United States, during this year’s tournament, which begins on Tuesday.

“We have sent a document and video to some NFL owners to explain what cricket is,” said ECB director of business operations Vikram Banerjee. “In terms of fan engagement, how they can build stadia experience and bring in the next generation, those guys are amazing. We can bring that blend together.”

The ECB launched The Hundred and its controversial 100-ball format in 2021, with a competition of eight franchises each made up of a men’s and women’s team. Despite the upheaval coming through the sales of the teams, there are no plans to change the format to T20.